Pro IndyCar driver Helio Castroneves is no stranger to competition. In IndyCar competition he has 29 wins and 41 poles, and won the Indianapolis 500 three times. Not to mention he's also a former Dancing With The Stars champ. ETonline caught up with Castroneves to talk about his former partner and newly minted judge Julianne Hough.

"She's the champ and not only that but she's a professional," Castroneves, 39, said of his DWTS pal. Hough, 26, is returning to the show next month as the fourth judge along with Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. Of how he thinks she'll fair on the judges panel Helio adds, "I believe she's going to be spectacular."

The two have remained friends since taking home the mirror ball trophy in 2007 during season five. Hough even shared this shot with him on Thursday as Helio gears up for the IndyCar Series championship this weekend.

Castroneves is town for the Verizon IndyCar Series season finale race—the MAVTV 500 at Auto Club Speedway. He will be going up against fellow Team Penske driver Will Power.

"At the end of the day it's a great problem for the team to have because no matter what it sounds like they're going to be a champ," he says of competing against his fellow teammate. "I'm proud to be a part of it."

Watch the video as Helio gives this intrepid reporter some sound advice before experiencing what it's like to race in an IndyCar himself!

You can catch Helio in the Verizon IndyCar Series championship August 30 at 9pm ET on NBCSN.